Device for removing energy from a beam and a method(s) of use thereof

ABSTRACT

Embodiments of the present invention include a device for removing energy from a beam of electromagnetic radiation. Typically, the device can be operatively coupled to a turbidity measuring device to remove energy generated by the turbidity measuring device. The device can include a block of material having one of a plurality of different shapes coated in an energy absorbing material. Generally, the device can include an angled or rounded energy absorbing surface where the beam of electromagnetic radiation can be directed. The angled or rounded energy absorbing surface can be configured to deflect a portion of the beam of electromagnetic radiation to a second energy absorbing surface.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.62/244,004, filed Oct. 20, 2015 and U.S. Provisional Application No.62/315,298, filed Mar. 30, 2016.

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/511,154, filed Mar. 14, 2017, which is a National Stage ofInternational Application No. PCT/US16/57852, filed Oct. 20, 2016.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Optics applicable to optical power measurement, electromagnetic beammeasurement, and power control thereof.

BACKGROUND

A variety of devices have been disclosed in the past to dissipate a beamof energy. Previous devices include energy traps, light traps, beamdumps, and the like. All of the prior art devices have suffered from oneor more drawbacks that made their use and performance less than ideal ordesirable under at least certain circumstances.

An energy beam (e.g., a beam of light) is useful for the interrogationof properties or constituents of a liquid sample. Examples of propertiesof a liquid sample which can be interrogated by a beam of light include,but are not limited to, an amount of particulate matter present in theliquid correlated to an intensity of scattered, the absorptioncoefficient, pH, a chemical composition, a refractive index, aconcentration of a chemical constituent comprising the liquid, and adensity or temperature of the liquid.

In performing testing to ascertain the foregoing properties, it iscommon that the liquid to be measured is in equilibrium, and/orsaturated, with a gas. For instance, the liquid can be in equilibriumwith air for a given temperature and pressure. As an example, the liquidis saturated with gasses present in the environmental conditions atwhich the liquid is measured. It is also often advantageous for thedetector used for the assay (or interrogation) of a liquid to beimmersed in the sample within a measurement chamber and in closeproximity to an energy beam so as to minimize signal loss and/orincrease the energy density at the detector. It is therefore common fora light/energy trap to be integral with the measurement chamber toabsorb the portion of the beam energy propagating outside the field ofview of the detector (or more specifically a photodetector wherein theenergy beam comprises light). The integral nature of the light trapoften precludes replacement or interchangeability as may be desired forenhanced performance or other special requirements such as the assay ofcaustic liquids or other liquids that exceed typical operationalparameters of the as-installed trap.

Most typically, the portions of an energy beam impingent upon an energyabsorbing surface in a light/energy trap immersed in a liquid areabsorbed and converted into heat. Localized heating of a liquid that isat equilibrium with a gas at a given temperature and pressure will causelocalized outgassing of the liquid, precipitating the formation of gasbubbles on the impingent surface. The gas bubbles on the submergedsurface of the trap increase reflectivity proximate the surface by (i)creating an additional optical interface (gas-liquid interface) betweenthe liquid and each gas bubble, and (ii) increasing the difference inthe refractive indices at the surface of the energy absorbing media (agas-surface interface).

To further deleterious effect, bubbles disposed upon the immersedsurface change the scatter characteristics of the surface by increasingthe roughness of the apparent surface. As a result, an energy beamincident on such a surface will scatter light with greater intensity andwith less predictability than a surface without bubbles. An increase inboth the amount and direction of scattered energy increases theprobability that at least some of this errant energy will be received bythe detector. Errant energy received by the detector mimics the presenceof analyte in the liquid and limits the detection thereof.

In applications where the excitation or interrogating energy beam doesnot terminate incident upon a detection means, such as in a turbidity orphotoluminescence assay, even a small amount of stray energy can havesignificant negative effects on the accuracy of an assay. In a turbidityor a photoluminescence assay, the detector is commonly positioned at aright angle to the interrogating energy beam and the emissions from theanalyte of interest are extremely weak (typically more than 10,000 timesweaker than the energy of the interrogating beam). The high energy ofthe interrogating beam relative to the weak emissions of the analyterequire high amplification of the emission response of the detectionmeans making the detection means highly susceptible to stray energy ofthe excitation or interrogating beam.

The construction of prior art beam dump and energy/light trap devicesalso require the energy absorbing surfaces be compatible with the liquidin which they are immersed so that the low reflectance surface of theenergy/light trap does not degrade over time and become more reflectivecausing drift and error in the measurement due to stray light aspreviously described. As can be appreciated, this constraint limits thenumber of materials available to manufacture an energy/light trap.

As a further drawback, at least some prior art energy/light trap devicesare constructed integral to a measurement chamber which slows theresponse of the measurement chamber by placing obstructions along theflow path of a liquid sample.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a device for removing beam energyaccording to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view of a device for removing beam energy withcross-section assignment A-A according to one embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of a device for removing beam energy accordingto one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a top view of a device for removing beam energy according toone embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is section view A-A of FIG. 2 of a device for removing beamenergy according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is section view A-A of FIG. 2 of a device for removing beamenergy according to one embodiment of the present invention depictingone ray path wherein energy is removed by the device.

FIG. 7 is an isometric view of a turbidity measuring device for removingbeam energy according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is an exploded view of a turbidity measuring device for removingbeam energy according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a front view of a turbidity measuring device for removing beamenergy, with cross-section assignment A-A, according to one embodimentof the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a bottom view of a turbidity measuring device for removingbeam energy according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a top view of a turbidity measuring device for removing beamenergy according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is section view A-A, of FIG. 9, of a turbidity measuring devicefor removing beam energy according to one embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 13 is a side view of a turbidity measuring device for removing beamenergy, with cross-section assignment B-B, according to one embodimentof the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a section view B-B, of FIG. 13, of a turbidity measuringdevice for removing beam energy according to one embodiment of thepresent invention depicting one ray path wherein energy is removed bythe invention.

FIG. 15 is a back view of a turbidity measuring device for removing beamenergy according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is an isometric view of a device for removing beam energyaccording to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a side view of a device for removing beam energy, withcross-section assignment A-A, according to a second embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 18 is a bottom view of a device for removing beam energy accordingto a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a top view of a device for removing beam energy according toa second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 20 is section view A-A, of FIG. 17, of a device for removing beamenergy according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 21 is section view, A-A of FIG. 17, of a device for removing beamenergy according to a second embodiment of the present inventiondepicting one ray path wherein energy is removed by the device.

FIG. 22 is an isometric view of a device for removing beam energyaccording to third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 23 is a back view of a device for removing beam energy, withcross-section assignment A-A, according to a third embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 24 is a bottom view of a device for removing beam energy accordingto a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 25 is a top view of a device for removing beam energy according toa third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 26 is a side view of a device for removing beam energy according toa third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 27 is section view A-A, of FIG. 23, of a device for removing beamenergy according to a third embodiment of the present inventiondepicting one ray path wherein energy is removed by the device.

FIG. 28 is an isometric view of a device for removing beam energyaccording to fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 29 is a front view of a device for removing beam energy, withcross-section assignment A-A, according to a fourth embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 30 is a bottom view of a device for removing beam energy accordingto a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 31 is a top view of a device for removing beam energy according toa fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 32 is section view A-A, of FIG. 29, of a device for removing beamenergy according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 33 is section view A-A, of FIG. 29, of a device for removing beamenergy according to a fourth embodiment of the present inventiondepicting one ray path wherein energy is removed by the device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the present invention can include a device for removingenergy from an electromagnetic radiation beam. The beam energy removaldevice can include, but is not limited to, a body being a solid mass ofan energy/light transmissive material having a substantially similarrefractive characteristic to a liquid to be assayed. For instance, thebeam energy removal device can be a single block of material having oneof a plurality of different shapes. For instance, the block of materialcan have a substantially cylindrical shape. Generally, the body can becoated in an energy absorbing material. For instance, an outside surfaceof the device can be coated in an energy absorbing material.

In one embodiment, the beam energy removal device can be implementedwith a turbidity measuring device. The beam removal device can belocated adjacent to a measurement chamber of the turbidity measuringdevice to which the beam removal device can be operatively coupled.Typically, the beam energy removal device can have a shape and geometriccharacteristics designed to facilitate a capture of energy of a beam andreduce a risk of errant energy being reflected back into the measurementchamber where a portion could be incident on a detector housed therein.

Typically, the beam energy removal device can be implemented to improvea minimum detection limit of a liquid assay by preserving an integrityof energy absorbing surfaces submersed in a liquid used to absorb energyof an interrogating beam subsequent to assay. Energy absorbing surfacessubmerged in a liquid can degrade from corrosion, chemical reaction,photo-bleaching and bubbles which can interfere with the assay processby scattering beam energy as result of changes in the characteristics ofenergy absorptive surfaces. Changes in the characteristics of energyabsorbing surfaces whereupon an interrogating beam is incident can mimictraits exhibited by the liquid (e.g., absorbance, scatter, orphotoluminescence) that can be deleterious to the assay process.

Typically, embodiments of the turbidity measuring device can include,but are not limited to, a fluidic module and a measurement module. Thefluidic module can include a deaerator for removing entrained air and/orgases from a liquid sample. In one instance, the deaerator can be acombination of components or a sub-assembly of the fluidic module. Whena liquid sample containing entrained gases is assayed, the gases canmimic the optical phenomenon of absorption, scatter, or fluorescenceupon interrogation of the liquid sample by a beam of light, which can bedeleterious to the assay process. The fluidic module can include thedeaerator to minimize and/or remove entrained gasses in a liquid sampleprior to the liquid sample being interrogated by the measurement module.The turbidity measuring device can be implemented as, but is not limitedto, a turbidimeter, a fluorometer, and a nephelometer.

As previously mentioned, because embodiments of the beam energy removaldevice are configured to be removably coupled to the measuringinstrument, an actual variation of the device including the materialfrom which the device is made, the type of energy absorbingcoating/material used, and the geometric configuration of the device canbe chosen based on the type of liquid being assayed and the specificwavelengths of the light beam being used as part of the assay. As can beappreciated, this permits a particular measurement instrument to bepotentially used with a greater number of analyte fluids and with lightbeams of differing wavelengths while still maintaining a high degree ofeffectiveness and minimum introduction of error due to errantlight/energy.

Embodiments of the present invention can offer one or more of thefollowing advantages over prior art energy/light traps. Because the beamenergy removal device is not located in a measurement chamber, theenergy removal device does not alter a flow of a liquid analyte, therebypermitting faster response times and quicker analyte turnover. A volumeof the measurement chamber of an associated analytical instrument can bereduced allowing faster response times compared to prior art instrumentswherein the energy trap is built into the chamber. As can beappreciated, a risk of heating the surfaces of the energy trap andcausing a liquid in contact therewith to outgas and form bubbles onsurfaces of the energy trap surfaces can be eliminated. As a result, anintegrity of the measurement made by the associated instrument can beimproved. Light absorbing materials of the energy removal device cannever come into contact with the liquid analyte. Materials can be chosenfor maximum effectiveness without concern over degradation in certainenvironments. Finally, the energy removal device can be configured to beeasily replaceable allowing a particular variation of the device to bechosen to fit the nature of the analysis being performed and the type ofliquid on which the analysis is being performed. For instance, aparticular variation of the device can be chosen to be made of materialsmatching a refractive index and other optical properties of the liquidanalyte.

In one embodiment, the beam dump can include a substrate material thatcan be low in thermal conduction to insulate absorbed energy from aliquid sample through which a beam of energy is transmitted. Thesubstrate material can further be (i) transparent to a wavelength(s)comprising the beam of energy to be absorbed, (ii) chemically compatiblewith a liquid sample, and (iii) possessing an index of refraction thatis in close agreement to the index of refraction of the liquid sampleunder assay. As can be appreciated, the material comprising the beamdump can be selected for a first set of characteristics independent ofenergy absorbing material characteristics from a second set ofcharacteristics. An arrangement of the energy absorbing surfaces withinthe monolithic substrate material of the beam dump hereinafter describedcan increase an overall energy removal of the beam dump.

One embodiment of the present invention can include a first method orprocess for removing energy from a beam. The first process can include,but is not limited to, ingress of energy through an optical surface intoa beam dump comprised of a media transparent to the wavelengths of theenergy beam, energy being impingent upon energy absorbing surfaces,energy being absorbed upon a first energy absorbing surface, residualenergy being directed towards a second energy absorbing surface,residual energy being absorbed upon the second energy absorbing surface,residual energy being directed towards the first or the second energyabsorbing surfaces, residual energy being absorbed upon the first or thesecond energy absorbing surfaces, and residual energy being discouragedfrom exiting the beam dump through the optical surface.

One embodiment of the present invention can include a second method orprocess for removing energy from a beam. The second process can include,but is not limited to, ingress of energy through an optical surface intoa beam dump comprised of a media transparent to the wavelengths of theenergy beam, energy being impingent upon energy absorbing surfaces,energy being absorbed and/or transmuted to a lower energy state upon afirst energy absorbing surface, residual energy being directed towards asecond energy absorbing surface, residual energy being absorbed and ortransmuted to a lower energy state upon the second energy absorbingsurface, residual energy being directed towards the first or the secondenergy absorbing surfaces, residual energy being absorbed or transmutedto a lower energy state upon the first or the second energy absorbingsurfaces, and residual energy being discouraged from exiting the beamdump through the optical surface. The second process can reduce anenergy of the beam by beam energy being absorbed by the first and thesecond energy absorbing surfaces and a reflection of any transmutedenergy incident upon the optical surface.

One embodiment of the device for removing energy from a beam caninclude, but is not limited to, a body, an optical surface, a centralaxis, a first energy absorbing surface, a second energy absorbingsurface, and an energy absorbing material disposed on the first and thesecond energy absorbing surfaces. The body can be comprised of amaterial that can be transparent to a beam of energy. Typically, thebody can be defined by the optical surface, the central axis, the firstenergy absorbing surface, and the second energy absorbing surface. Theoptical surface can be adapted to make contact with a liquid in aturbidity measuring device the body is operatively coupled to. Thecentral axis can be adapted to facilitate a beam of energy to propagatefrom the turbidity measuring device into the energy removal devicesubstantially perpendicular to the optical surface. The first energyabsorbing surface can be displaced longitudinally from the opticalsurface. The first energy absorbing surface can be comprised of three ormore triangular facets with coincident sides to form a vertex coincidentupon the central axis at a distance shorter than the base of thetriangular facets. The second energy absorbing surface can be ofrevolution displaced radially about the central axis.

One embodiment of the present invention can include a device forremoving energy from a beam. The energy removal device can include abody defined by an optical surface, a central axis, a first energyabsorbing surface, a second energy absorbing surface, and an energyabsorbing material disposed upon the first and the second energyabsorbing surfaces. The body can be comprised of a media transparent tothe beam of energy. The optical surface can be adapted to make contactwith a liquid in a turbidity measuring device. The central axis can beadapted to facilitate the beam of energy to propagate from the turbiditymeasuring device into the energy removal device substantiallyperpendicular to the optical surface. The first energy absorbing surfacecan be of revolution and displaced longitudinally from the opticalsurface and radially symmetric about the central axis. The second energyabsorbing surface can be of revolution displaced radially about thecentral axis of a larger radii than the first energy absorbing surfaceof revolution.

One embodiment of the present invention can include a device forremoving energy from a beam. The energy removal device can include abody defined by an optical surface, a central axis, a first energyabsorbing surface, at least one second energy absorbing surface, and anenergy absorbing material disposed upon the first and the second energyabsorbing surfaces. The body can be comprised of a media transparent tothe beam of energy. The optical surface can be adapted to make contactwith a liquid in a turbidity measuring device. The central axis can beadapted to facilitate the beam of energy to propagate from the turbiditymeasuring device into the energy removal device substantiallyperpendicular to the optical surface. The first energy absorbing surfacecan be inclined at an oblique angle to the central axis and can bedisplaced longitudinally from the optical surface. The at least onesecond energy absorbing surface being displaced from the central axissubstantially parallel to the central axis, where the first and the atleast one second energy absorbing surfaces terminate to form a wedge.

One embodiment of the present invention can include a device forremoving energy from a beam. The energy removal device can include abody defined by an optical surface, a central axis, a first polyhedronenergy absorbing surface, a second energy absorbing surface ofrevolution, and an energy absorbing material disposed upon the first andthe second energy absorbing surfaces. The body can be comprised of amedia transparent to the beam of energy. The optical surface can beadapted to make contact with a liquid in a turbidity measuring device.The central axis can be adapted to facilitate the beam of energy topropagate from the turbidity measuring device into the energy removaldevice substantially perpendicular to the optical surface. The firstenergy absorbing polyhedron surface can be displaced longitudinally fromthe optical surface and can be comprised of three or more pairs oftriangular facets with one coincident side to form an edge. The edgescan be convergent upon the central axis at a distance longer than thevertex of the triangular facets and one other side of each triangularfacet can be coincident with the second energy absorbing surface ofrevolution radially displaced about said central axis.

Embodiments of the present invention can be utilized with a deaeratorapparatus for liquid assay as is described in U.S. provisional patentapplication 62/173,101, filed on Jun. 9, 2015, titled “DEAERATORAPPARATUS FOR LIQUID ASSAY”, and having the same inventor as the presentapplication, and is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

The following PCT applications are incorporated by reference in theirentirety: PCT/US16/35638, filed Jun. 3, 2016, titled “TURBIDITYMEASURING DEVICE; and PCT/US16/36202, filed Jun. 7, 2016, titled“BACKSCATTER REDUCTANT ANAMORPHIC BEAM SAMPLER”.

Terminology

The terms and phrases as indicated in quotation marks (“ ”) in thissection are intended to have the meaning ascribed to them in thisTerminology section applied to them throughout this document, includingin the claims, unless clearly indicated otherwise in context. Further,as applicable, the stated definitions are to apply, regardless of theword or phrase's case, to the singular and plural variations of thedefined word or phrase.

The term “or” as used in this specification and the appended claims isnot meant to be exclusive; rather the term is inclusive, meaning eitheror both.

References in the specification to “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”,“another embodiment, “a preferred embodiment”, “an alternativeembodiment”, “one variation”, “a variation” and similar phrases meanthat a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described inconnection with the embodiment or variation, is included in at least anembodiment or variation of the invention. The phrase “in oneembodiment”, “in one variation” or similar phrases, as used in variousplaces in the specification, are not necessarily meant to refer to thesame embodiment or the same variation.

The term “couple” or “coupled” as used in this specification andappended claims refers to an indirect or direct physical connectionbetween the identified elements, components, or objects. Often themanner of the coupling will be related specifically to the manner inwhich the two coupled elements interact.

The term “directly coupled” or “coupled directly,” as used in thisspecification and appended claims, refers to a physical connectionbetween identified elements, components, or objects, in which no otherelement, component, or object resides between those identified as beingdirectly coupled.

The term “approximately,” as used in this specification and appendedclaims, refers to plus or minus 10% of the value given.

The term “about,” as used in this specification and appended claims,refers to plus or minus 20% of the value given.

The terms “generally” and “substantially,” as used in this specificationand appended claims, mean mostly, or for the most part.

Directional and/or relationary terms such as, but not limited to, left,right, nadir, apex, top, bottom, vertical, horizontal, back, front andlateral are relative to each other and are dependent on the specificorientation of a applicable element or article, and are used accordinglyto aid in the description of the various embodiments and are notnecessarily intended to be construed as limiting.

The term “light,” as used in the specification and appended claims,refers to electromagnetic radiation in the visible spectrum.

A First Embodiment of a Device for Removing Energy from a Beam

Referring to FIG. 1, a detailed diagram of a first embodiment 20 of adevice is illustrated. The device 20 can be implemented to remove and/orabsorb a light beam or other beam of electromagnetic radiation. Forinstance, the beam dump 20 can be used to absorb a beam of light from aliquid being assayed in a turbidity measuring device.

The beam dump 20 shown in FIG. 1 can be configured to absorb energy froma beam of light and dissipate the absorbed energy as heat withouttransference of said heat to a liquid sample. In one embodiment, thebeam dump 20 can be of monolithic construction transparent to a spectralcontent of an energy beam and of a material that can be low in thermalconduction. For example, the material can have a thermal conduction ofless than 3 W/(m·° K). Material classes possessing suitable chemicalresistance and optical and thermal properties can include, but are notlimited to, plastics, polymers, glass, silica, and ceramics.

Referring to FIGS. 2-4, a side view, a bottom view, and a top view,respectfully, of the beam dump 20 are illustrated. The beam dump 20 caninclude, but is not limited to, a solid block (or body) 20 h, an opticalsurface 20 a, a first energy absorbing surface 20 b, a second energyabsorbing surface 20 c, a seating surface 20 d, a threaded feature 20 e,a cylinder feature 20 f, and a terminate surface 20 g. As shown, thesolid block 20 h can have a substantially cylindrical shape and can becomprised of a material that will hereinafter be referred to as thesubstrate material.

The optical surface 20 a can be placed in direct contact with a liquidin a turbidity measuring device (described hereinafter) being assayedfor an ingress of beam energy into the beam dump 20. The first energyabsorbing surface 20 b can be a surface comprised of polygon facets. Forexample, the polygon facets are depicted as an 8-sided polygon, forminga substantially pyramidal shape. As can be appreciated, the first energyabsorbing surface may form a polygon of any number of facets of three orgreater. Typically, the first energy absorbing surface 20 b can includean apex. The second energy absorbing surface 20 c can be a surfacehaving a substantially cylindrical shape. The seating surface 20 d andthe threaded feature 20 e can be implemented to couple the beam dumpdevice 20 to the turbidity measuring device. The seating surface 20 d,the threaded feature 20 e, and the cylinder feature 20 f can be used toattach, locate, and make a liquid tight connection between the beam dump20 and a vessel of the measuring instrument containing the liquid sampleor analyte.

The surfaces 20 b, 20 c, and 20 g can be coated with an energy absorbingmaterial judicially selected from materials exhibiting low reflectivityto wavelengths comprising a light beam to be absorbed. For instance, areflectivity less than approximately 5% of an incident radiation can beimplemented. The coating material can be selected from a class ofmaterials including, but not limited to, paints, elastomers, andplastics. As can be appreciated, a material capable of good adhesion tothe substrate material of the beam dump 20 can be selected.

As depicted in FIG. 5, the second energy absorbing surface 20 c is shownwith an energy absorbing coating 20′ and an opaque coating 20″. As canbe appreciated, each of the energy absorbing surfaces can include theenergy absorbing coating 20′ and the opaque coating 20″. The lightabsorbing coating 20′ can be in intimate contact with the substratematerial 20 h of the beam dump 20, so as low a refractive difference canexist between the substrate material 20 h and the light absorbingcoating 20′. The coating applied to the surfaces 20 b, 20 c and 20 g canbe opaque to prevent external radiation from entering the beam dump 20by a way other than as intended through the optical surface 20 a. Theopaque coating 20″ can be applied secondarily over the energy absorbingcoating 20′ to prevent external radiation from entering the beam dump 20by a way other then as intended through the optical surface 20 a. Forinstance, the opaque coating 20″ can be implemented when a materialselected to be the energy absorbing coating 20′ is not sufficientlyopaque to block external radiation from entering the beam dump 20. Ascan be appreciated, coatings that provide both energy absorbingproperties and radiation blocking properties can be implemented, asmentioned hereinafter. As shown, the polygon facet 20 b is depicted aspart of a plurality of facets that form an octagonal pyramid; however,pyramids of different types having 3 or more polygonal facets may beimplemented.

One example of the energy absorbing coating 20′, which is also opaque,is KRYLON® ‘Black Satin’ acrylic paint no. 51613. Another example of theenergy absorbing coating 20′ is RUST-OLEUM® ‘Gloss Black’ epoxy paintno. 7886. One example of an energy absorbing coating 20′ that is notopaque is an interference coating. As is well known in the art, thesetypes of coatings are usually proprietary to optical manufacturers ofsuch coatings which are typically applied by vapor deposition process.An interference coating would need the additional opaque coating 20″previously described.

In one embodiment, the substrate material 20 h of the beam dump device20 can have a refractive index in close match with the refractive indexof the liquid sample to be tested to provide a high coupling efficiencyof the energy beam as the beam propagates from the liquid sample intothe beam dump 20 through the optical surface 20 a. It is easily realizedby those skilled in the art that various anti-reflective coatings may beapplied to the optical surface 20 a to improve the coupling efficiencyof the energy beam to the beam dump 20.

As an example, a liquid with a low refractive index, for instance waterwith a refractive index of 1.33, can be matched to a substrate material20 h of CYTOP® with a refractive index of 1.34. As another example,glycerol with a refractive index of 1.47, can be well matched toborosilicate glass with a refractive index of 1.47 or poly(methylmethacrylate) (PMMA) with a refractive index of 1.49. Of note, therefractive index match does not need to be an exact match. Wherein otherconstraints can be considered, for instance cost or materialavailability, tradeoffs may be made to select a substrate material thatcan limit the reflection loss of an acceptable value. For example, areflection loss of less than 0.5% may be achieved by combining waterwith a substrate material of PMMA yielding a reflection loss of 0.33% at589 nm.

As depicted in FIG. 5, the polygon facet(s) 20 b can converge to an apexcoincident with a centerline (z) at an incline angle (b). The secondenergy absorbing cylindrical surface 20 c can be a cylindrical shape andmay possess a taper angle (a) of a couple or few degrees to facilitateinjection molding or is otherwise equal distance from the centerline (z)forming a right cylinder. The polygon facets 20 b can be inclined atangle (b) so as the sum of angle (a) and (b) are less than 45 degrees.The optical surface 20 a and the apex of the polygon facets can bespatially separated by a distance (dl).

As depicted in FIG. 6, an energy beam ray 25 (e.g., beam of light) isshown as the energy beam ray 25 propagates through the beam dump 20. Forillustrative purposes only, a line thickness is intended to representpictorially an amount of energy in the ray 25, wherein a ray comprisedof higher energy is illustrated by a thick line and at lower energy by athinner line. The ray 25 can propagate through a liquid sample 21 (seeFIG. 14) into the beam dump 20 by ingress through the optical surface 20a. The ray 25 can impinge on the first energy absorbing polygon surface20 b whereupon energy can be absorbed into the energy absorbing coatingin contact with this surface. The residual portion of the ray 25 a thatis not absorbed can be directed towards the second energy absorbingcylindrical surface 20 c, whereupon a significant portion of energy ofthe ray 25 can be absorbed into the energy absorbing coating in contactwith the second absorbing cylindrical surface 20 c. The residual portionof the ray 20 c that is not absorbed can be directed back towards thefirst energy absorbing polygon surface(s) 20 b, whereupon energy can beabsorbed into the underlying energy absorbing coating.

For an energy absorbing material with a typical reflectivity of 2.1%,three incursions with the energy absorbing material can reduce theavailable energy to reenter the liquid sample along the ray path 25 c toa value less than 1/100,000th of the original energy entering the beamdump.

Typically, the diameter of the cylinder forming the second absorbingcylindrical surface 20 c can be larger than the diameter of the cylinderfeature 20 f, so as to obscure second energy absorbing cylindricalsurface 20 c from direct exposure to beam energy from above.Furthermore, the total surface area of first and second energy absorbingsurfaces 20 b, 20 c can be substantially larger than a surface area ofthe optical surface 20 a, thus reducing the probability that residuallight will exit the beam dump 20 through the optical surface 20 a.

Surfaces with low reflectance (e.g., energy absorbing surfaces)typically scatter light as a function of intensity that decreases as thecosine of the incident angle (i.e., such surfaces exhibit apredominately Lambertian reflectance characteristic). The second energyabsorbing cylindrical surface 20 c can be radiated indirectly from thefirst energy absorbing polygon surface(s) 20 b at a distance greaterthan (dl) from the optical surface 20 a. For the unique geometricalarrangement herein, the distance (dl), the diameter of cylinder feature20 f, and the diameter of the second energy absorbing cylindricalsurface 20 c can be selected so as to minimize the intensity andprobability that energy scattered within the beam dump 20 will exitthrough the optical surface 20 a. In one embodiment, the first energyabsorbing polygon surface(s) 20 b and the second energy absorbingcylindrical surface 20 c can be inclined to an observer through theoptical surface 20 a at angles greater than approximately 30 degrees.

Other embodiments of the beam dump 20 are disclosed herein, whichpossess alternate geometries pertaining to the light absorbing surfaces.All the geometries can cause an energy beam entering the beam dumpdevice to experience multiple incursions with light absorbing surfacesthereby absorbing more energy and making the value of the residualenergy available to reenter the liquid sample satisfactorily small. Thegreater the number of incursions of the beam with the energy absorbingsurfaces the higher the reflectivity of the energy absorbing materialcan be used to achieve similar beam energy removal results.

Wherein a beam of energy is comprised of wavelengths that readily causeexcitation and reemission of energy at transmuted, lower energy state,(as an example, the phenomenon of fluorescence), the optical surface 20a may be modified to include an interference coating which transmitsshorter wavelengths and rejects longer wavelengths. Furthermore, one ormore of the energy absorbing surfaces may be modified to include anenergy conversion constituent. Advantageously, a beam dump so modifiedcan pass short wavelengths into the beam dump 20 through the opticalsurface 20 a, wherein the energy can be absorbed and converted to longerwavelengths by one or more energy absorbing surfaces preventing shortwave length energy, which the detector may be sensitive to, from exitingthe beam dump 20 and reentering a measuring chamber of an associatedinstrument.

One embodiment of the energy beam dump 20 may be utilized in aturbidimeter (or nephelometer) to measure liquid samples having lowlevels of turbidity, typically less than 50 mNTU (NephelometricTurbidity Units). A turbidimeter 100 is shown generally in FIGS. 7-15,incorporating the beam dump device 20. As will be described hereinafter,each of the disclosed beam dumps can be implemented with a turbiditymeasuring device.

The turbidimeter 100, as shown in FIG. 8, can be comprised of three maincomponents including, but not limited to, a measuring (or measurement)module 101, a fluidic module 102, and the beam dump 20.

As depicted in FIGS. 9-11, 13, and 15, front, bottom, top, side, andback views respectfully, the turbidimeter 100 can further include a flowvessel 1, an optic support 2, an optic cover 3, a display window 4, adisplay 5, an electrical connection 7 a, an inlet front cover 14, anoutlet cover 15, an inlet fitting 16, an inlet tubing 17, an ingress ofa fluid sample 21 a, an outlet fitting 18, an outlet tubing 19, the beamdump 20, and an egress of a fluid sample 21 f.

As depicted in FIG. 12, section view A-A of FIG. 9 of turbidimeter 100,a liquid sample 21 can ingress into the flow vessel 1 through the inlettubing 17 connected to the flow vessel 1 by the inlet fitting 16. Theliquid sample 21 can flow into a deaerator chamber 1 a formed betweenthe front cover 14 and the flow vessel 1 and is identified as samplevolume 21 b. The liquid sample 21 can flow from the deaerator chamber 1a to the measurement chamber through a passage filling the measurementchamber with a sample volume 21 c. The liquid sample 21 can spill overinto an outlet chamber 1 c formed between the outlet cover 15 and theflow vessel 1 over a weir in the flow vessel 1 and is identified assample stream 21 d. The liquid sample 21 can flow through the outletchamber 1 c, the outlet fitting 18, and the outlet tubing 19 and isidentified as sample flow 21 e. The liquid sample 21 can egress from theturbidimeter 100 through the outlet tubing 19 and is identified assample flow 21 f.

Energy from a light source 8 (e.g. an LED) can be formed into a beam bya plano-convex lens 10 and a bi-convex lens 12 along a centerline 22.Light can be emitted from an emitter 8 b of the light source 8. Thelight source 8 can be provided power through electrical leads 8 a and aprinted circuit assembly 7. The light source 8 can be positionedrelative to the plano-convex lens 10 through an optic mount 9 that canbe press fit into an illuminator support 2. A chief light ray 23 can beemitted from the light source 8 and pass through the center of a lightstop 2 a. The light stop 2 a can be positioned between the plano-convexlens 10 and the bi-convex lens 12 at one focal length from each lenswithin the optic support 2. The bi-convex lens 12 can be held inposition by a retaining ring 13. A marginal ray 24 can pass through thelight stop 2 a parallel to a centerline 22 and can be refracted by thebi-convex lens 12 to form an image of the light stop 2 a at one focallength from the bi-convex lens 12 within the liquid sample 21. The focallength of the bi-convex lens 12 can be selected so that the image of thelight stop 2 a can be in a forefront of the detector means, thus theilluminated field that may be in view of the detector means illuminatesthe liquid sample uniformly.

The focal length of the bi-convex lens 24, the distance from the lightstop 2 a, the diameter of light stop 2 a, and the distance to the beamdump 20 can determine a size of the beam impingent upon the opticalsurface 20 a of the beam dump 20. It is important that the diameter ofthe beam entering the beam dump 20 be smaller in diameter than thediameter of the optical surface 20 a so that no beam energy may bedissipated within the sample volume 1 b, which can interfere with theliquid assay. Judicious selection of the bi-convex lens 24 focal length,the diameter of the light stop 2 a, the diameter of the optical surface20 a of the beam dump 20, and the relative spatial relation to oneanother must be carefully considered in order that the optical system ofthe turbidimeter 100 operates in accordance with the invention asdescribed.

As depicted in FIG. 14, a section view B-B of FIG. 13, energy can beemitted from the emitter 8 b of the light source 8 and formed into theenergy beam 25 by means of the plano-convex lens 10, the light stop 2 a,and the bi-convex lens 12 as described prior. The light beam 25 can betransmitted through the liquid sample 21 wherein a portion of the lightcan be scattered in possible directions as light rays 27 a, 27 b, and 27c within the sample volume 21 c as a result of interaction of the lightbeam 25 and particles 26 in suspension of the liquid sample 21. Thelight ray 27 c can be scattered in a direction so as to fall incidentupon a detector 22 (e.g., a photodiode) through an optical element 23held to the optic support 2 by a retaining ring 24. Throughphotoelectric effect, the detector 22 can convert light falling incidentupon the detector 22 into an electrical signal. A relationship can becorrelated as to the particulate content of the liquid sample 21relative to a strength of the electrical signal.

A significant majority of the energy beam 25 that is not otherwisesubjected to interaction with particles in suspension of the liquidsample 21 can propagate through the sample volume 21 c unimpeded to thebeam dump 20. The energy beam 25 can enter the beam dump 20 through theoptical surface 20 a propagating towards the first energy absorbingpolygon surface 20 b. Unabsorbed energy 25 a of the energy beam 25 canbe directed towards the second energy absorbing cylindrical surface 20c. An unabsorbed energy 25 b of the unabsorbed energy 25 a can besubsequently directed back towards the first energy absorbing polygonsurface 20 b. For each successive interaction between the energy fromthe energy beam 25 and the first energy absorbing polygon surface 20 bor the second absorbing cylindrical surface 20 c, the remainingunabsorbed energy can be significantly diminished. Advantageously, heatmay not be generated at the optical surface 20 a nor is heat of anymeasurable amount conducted through the substrate of the beam dump 20from the energy absorbing surfaces 20 b, 20 c, 20 g to the opticalsurface 20 a in contact with the liquid sample 21. Accordingly, bubblesmay not be generated on the optical surface 20 a as result of heatingthat could otherwise interfere with the liquid assay in the mannerpreviously described.

A Second Embodiment of a Device for Removing Energy from a Beam

As depicted in FIGS. 16-21, a second embodiment of a device 30 forremoving a beam of energy from a liquid is illustrated. Similar to thefirst embodiment beam dump 20, the second embodiment beam dump 30 can becomprised of a solid block of material selectively coated with an energyabsorbing material. Although not illustrated, the second embodiment beamdump 30 can be implemented with the previously discussed turbidimeter100.

The beam dump 30 can include, but is not limited to, a solid block (orbody) 30 h, an optical surface 30 a, a first energy absorbing surface ofrevolution 30 b, a second energy absorbing surface of revolution 30 c, aseating surface 30 d, a threaded feature 30 e, a cylinder feature 30 f,and a terminate surface 30 g. The solid block 30 h can have asubstantially cylindrical shape and can be comprised of a material thatwill be referred to hereinafter as the substrate material.

The optical surface 30 a can be adapted to be placed in contact with aliquid in the turbidity measuring device 100 for an ingress of a beamenergy into the beam dump 30. The seating surface 30 d, the threadedfeature 30 e, and the cylinder feature 30 f can be used to attach,locate, and make a liquid tight connection between the beam dump 30 andthe turbidity measuring device 100 containing a liquid sample. Thesurfaces 30 b, 30 c, and 30 g can each be coated with an energyabsorbing material judicially selected from materials exhibiting lowreflectivity to wavelengths of which the energy/light beam may becomprised. The energy absorbing coating can be in intimate contact withthe substrate material of the beam dump 30, so as low a refractivedifference exists between the substrate material and the energyabsorbing coating. The coating applied to the surfaces 30 b, 30 c, and30 g can be opaque to prevent external radiation from entering the beamdump 30 by a way other than intended through the optical surface 30 a.In one embodiment, an opaque coating can be applied secondarily over theenergy absorbing coating to prevent external radiation from entering thebeam dump 30 by a way other than as intended through the optical surface30 a. Generally, except for the geometric differences between the secondembodiment beam dump 30 and the first embodiment beam dump 20 as well asoperational differences resulting from the geometric differences, theyare similar in terms of construction and operation.

As depicted in FIG. 20, the surface of revolution 30 b is shown as apartial ellipse by example. It is to be appreciated that the surface ofrevolution 30 b may be of any figure of line, smooth or erratic,connecting a first point (p1) located on central axis (z) to a secondpoint (p2) located on terminate surface 30 g. In one embodiment, thesubstrate material of the beam dump 30 may be selected from a materialpossessing a refractive index in close match to a refractive index of aliquid sample being assayed to ensure a high coupling efficiency as anenergy beam propagates from the liquid sample into the beam dump 30through the optical surface 30 a. It is easily realized by those skilledin the art that various anti-reflective coatings may be applied to theoptical surface 30 a to improve the coupling efficiency of the energybeam to the beam dump 30.

As depicted in FIG. 21, a ray 25′ is illustrated to show the propagationof the energy beam within the beam dump with the line thicknessrepresenting the amount of energy in the ray with a thick linerepresenting more energy than a thinner line. The ray 25 can propagatethrough the liquid sample 21 into the beam dump 30 by ingress throughthe optical surface 30 a. The ray 25 can impinge on the first absorbingsurface of revolution 30 b whereupon energy may be absorbed into theenergy absorbing coating in contact with first absorbing surface ofrevolution 30 b. A ray 25 a′ comprising the residual energy not absorbedinto energy absorbing coating at surface 30 b can be directed towardsthe second absorbing surface of revolution 30 c, whereupon energy may beabsorbed into the energy absorbing coating in contact with the secondenergy absorbing surface of revolution 30 c. A ray 25 b′ comprising theresidual energy not absorbed into energy absorbing coating at surface 20c can be directed towards the opposing surface of the second energyabsorbing surface 30 c, whereupon energy may be absorbed into the energyabsorbing coating in contact with the second energy absorbing surface ofrevolution 30 c. A ray 25 c′ comprising unabsorbed residual energy willcontinue to propagate within the beam dump 30 interacting with the firstor second energy absorbing surfaces 30 b, 30 c of revolution until allthe energy may be absorbed or escapes through the optical surface 30 a.For an energy absorbing material with a reflectivity of 2.1%, fourincursions with the energy absorbing material can reduce an availableenergy to reenter the liquid sample 21 to a value less than1/5,000,000th of the original energy entering the beam dump 30, a valueof which is less than that which can be distinguished from thermal noiseby the turbidimeter 100.

A Third Embodiment of a Device for Removing Energy from a Beam

With reference to FIGS. 22-27, a third embodiment 40 of a device forremoving a beam of energy from a liquid is illustrated. The beam dump 40can be comprised of solid substrate selectively coated with an energyabsorbing material.

The third embodiment beam dump 40 can include, but is not limited to, asolid block (or body) 40 h, an optical surface 40 a, a first energyabsorbing planar surface 40 b, a second energy absorbing facetedsurface(s) 40 c, a seating surface 40 d, a threaded feature 40 e, acylinder feature 40 f, a terminating edge 40 g, and a hexagonal nutfeature 40 i. The solid block 40 h can have a substantially righttriangular shape and can be comprised of a material that will bereferred to hereinafter as the substrate material.

The optical surface 40 a can be adapted to be used in contact with aliquid in the turbidity measuring device 100 for an ingress of beamenergy into the beam dump 40. The seating surface 40 d, the threadedfeature 40 e, the hexagonal nut feature 40 i, and the cylinder feature40 f can be implemented to attach, locate, and make a liquid tightconnection between the beam dump 40 and the turbidity measuring device100 containing the liquid sample. The energy absorbing surfaces 40 b, 40c, and 40 g can be coated with an energy absorbing material judiciallyselected from materials exhibiting low reflectivity and high absorptionof wavelengths comprising the light beam. The energy absorbing coatingcan be in intimate contact with the substrate material of the beam dump40, so as low a refractive difference exists between the substratematerial and the energy absorbing coating. The coating applied to thesurfaces 40 b, 40 c, and 40 g can be opaque to prevent externalradiation from entering the beam dump 40 by a way other than as intendedthrough the optical surface 40 a. In one embodiment, an opaque coatingcan be applied secondarily over the energy absorbing coating to preventexternal radiation from entering the beam dump by a way other than asintended through the optical surface 40 a. Generally, except for thegeometric differences between the second embodiment beam dump 30 and thefirst embodiment beam dump 20, as well as operational differencesresulting from the geometric differences, the first embodiment beam dump20, the second embodiment beam dump 30, and the third embodiment beamdump 40 can be similar in terms of construction and operation.

As depicted in FIG. 27, the first energy absorbing planar surface 40 bcan be coincident with the second energy absorbing faceted surface 40 cat the terminating edge 40 g (as shown in FIG. 26) and can be inclinedat an angle (b) opening towards the optical surface 40 a. The inclineangle (b) can approximately between 135° and 175° to provide a desirableworking length for the beam dump 40 and to encourage at least threeincursions of the incident beam and subsequent residuals with the energyabsorbing surfaces 40 b, 40 c. The substrate material of the beam dump40 can be selected from a group of materials possessing a refractiveindex in close match to a refractive index of the liquid sample beingassayed to provide high efficiency propagation of the energy beam fromthe liquid sample into the beam dump 40 through the optical surface 40a. It is easily realized by those skilled in the art that variousanti-reflective coatings may be applied to optical surface 40 a toimprove the coupling efficiency of the energy beam to the beam dump 40.

As depicted in FIG. 27, a ray 25″ is illustrated to show the propagationof the energy beam within the beam dump 40 with the line thicknessrepresenting the amount of energy in the ray with a thick linerepresenting more energy than a thinner line. The ray 25″ can propagatethrough liquid sample 21 into the beam dump 40 by ingress through theoptical surface 40 a. The ray 25″ can impinge on the first absorbingplanar surface 40 b whereupon energy may be absorbed into the energyabsorbing coating in contact with the first energy absorbing planarsurface 40 b. A ray 25 a″ comprising the residual energy not absorbedinto the energy absorbing coating at surface 40 b can be directedtowards the second energy absorbing faceted surface 40 c, whereuponenergy may be absorbed into the energy absorbing coating in contact withthe second energy absorbing faceted surface 40 c. A ray 25 b″ comprisingthe residual energy not absorbed into the energy absorbing coating atsurface 40 c can be directed towards the first energy absorbing planarsurface 40 b, whereupon energy may be absorbed into the energy absorbingcoating in contact with the first energy absorbing planar surface 40 b.When the angle (b) is preferentially selected as 150°, the residual ray25 b″ may fall incident on the energy absorbing planar surface 40 bsubstantially perpendicular to the surface 40 b. A ray 25 c″ comprisingthe residual energy not absorbed into energy absorbing coating atsurface 40 b can be retro-directed towards the energy absorbing facetedsurface 40 c. A ray 25 d comprising the residual energy not absorbedinto energy absorbing coating at surface 40 c can be retro-directedalong a ray path of the ray 25 a″ towards the energy absorbing planarsurface 40 b. For an energy absorbing material with a reflectivity of4%, five incursions with the energy absorbing material reduces anavailable energy to reenter the liquid sample 21 along the ray path 25″to a value less than 1/9,765,000th of the original energy entering thebeam dump.

A Fourth Embodiment of a Device for Removing Energy from a Beam

With reference to FIGS. 28-33, a fourth embodiment 50 of a device forremoving a beam of energy from a liquid is illustrated. The beam dump 50can be comprised of a solid substrate selectively coated with an energyabsorbing material.

In one embodiment, the fourth embodiment beam dump 50 can include, butis not limited to, a solid block (or body) 50 h, an optical surface 50a, a first energy absorbing wedge surface(s) 50 b, a second energyabsorbing cylinder surface 50 c, a seating surface 50 d, a threadedfeature 50 e, a cylinder feature 50 f, and a terminating edge 50 g. Thesolid block 50 h can have a substantially cylindrical shape and can becomprised of a material that will be referred to hereinafter as thesubstrate material. As depicted in FIG. 28, the block 50 h can include aplurality of wedge shapes tapering down towards a bottom of the block 50h.

The optical surface 50 a can be in contact with a liquid for an egressof beam energy. The seating surface 50 d, the thread feature 50 e, andthe cylinder feature 50 f can be implemented to attach, locate, and makea liquid tight connection between the beam dump 50 and a vesselcontaining a liquid sample. The surfaces 50 b, 50 c, and 50 g can becoated with an energy absorbing material judiciously selected frommaterials exhibiting low reflectivity to wavelengths of the associatedenergy/light beam. The energy absorbing coating can be in intimatecontact with the substrate material of the beam dump 50, so as low arefractive difference can exist between the substrate material and theenergy absorbing coating. The coating applied to the surfaces 50 b, 50c, and 50 g can be opaque to prevent external radiation from enteringthe beam dump 50 by a way other than intended through the opticalsurface 50 a. In one embodiment, an opaque coating can be appliedsecondarily over the energy absorbing coating to prevent externalradiation from entering the beam dump by a way other than as intendedthrough the optical surface 50 a.

Generally, except for the geometric differences between the secondembodiment beam dump 30 and the first embodiment beam dump 20, as wellas operational differences resulting from the geometric differences, thefirst embodiment beam dump 20, the second embodiment beam dump 30, thethird embodiment beam dump 40, and the fourth embodiment beam dump 50can be similar in terms of construction and operation.

As depicted in FIG. 32, the first energy absorbing planar surface 50 bcan be coincident with the second energy absorbing cylinder surface 50 cat the terminating edge 50 g and can be inclined at an angle (b),opening towards the optical surface 50 a. The incline angle (b) can beapproximately between 5° and 30° to provide sufficient working lengthfor the beam dump 50 and to encourage at least three incursions of theincident beam and subsequent residuals with the energy absorbingsurfaces 50 b, 50 c. The substrate material of the beam dump 50 can beselected from a material possessing a refractive index in close match toa refractive index of the liquid sample to provide high efficiencypropagation of the energy beam from the liquid sample into the beam dump50 through the optical surface 50 a. It is easily realized by thoseskilled in the art that various anti-reflective coatings may be appliedto optical surface 50 a to improve the coupling efficiency of the energybeam to the beam dump.

As depicted in FIG. 33, a ray 25′″ is illustrated to show thepropagation of the energy beam within the beam dump 50 with the linethickness representing the amount of energy in the ray with a thick linerepresenting more energy than a thinner line. The ray 25′″ can propagatethrough the liquid sample 21 into the beam dump 50 by ingress throughthe optical surface 50 a. The ray 25′″ can impinge on the first energyabsorbing wedge surface 50 b whereupon energy may be absorbed into theenergy absorbing coating in contact with the first energy absorbingwedge surface 50 b. A ray 25 a′″ comprising the residual energy notabsorbed into the energy absorbing coating at surface 50 b can bedirected downward towards an opposing first energy absorbing wedgesurface 50 b and outward towards the second energy absorbing cylindersurface 50 c, whereupon energy may be absorbed into the energy absorbingcoating in contact with the first and second energy absorbing surfaces50 b, 50 c. A ray 25 b′″ comprising the residual energy not absorbedinto the energy absorbing coating at the surfaces 50 b, 50 c can bedirected downwards towards an opposing first energy absorbing wedgesurface 40 b and outward towards the second energy absorbing cylindersurface 50 c, whereupon energy may be absorbed into the energy absorbingcoating in contact with first and second energy absorbing surfaces 50 b,50 c. A ray 25 c′″ comprising the residual energy not absorbed into theenergy absorbing coating at the surfaces 50 b, 50 c can be directedupward towards an opposing first energy absorbing wedge surface 40 b andinward towards a first energy absorbing wedge surface 50 b, whereuponenergy may be absorbed into the energy absorbing coating in contact withfirst energy absorbing surfaces 50 b. A ray 25 d′″ comprising theresidual energy not absorbed into the energy absorbing coating at thesurfaces 50 b, 50 c can be directed upward towards an opposing firstenergy absorbing wedge surface 50 b and inward towards a first energyabsorbing wedge surface 50 b, whereupon energy may be absorbed into theenergy absorbing coating in contact with the first energy absorbingsurfaces 50 b. For an energy absorbing material with a reflectivity of4%, five incursions with the material reduces the available energy toreenter the liquid sample 21 along ray path 25′″ to a value less than1/9,765,000th of the original energy entering the beam dump 50.

A Method of Implementing a Device for Removing Energy from a Beam

A method or process of implementing one of the previously described beamdumps 20, 30, 40, 50 with the turbidity measuring device 100 ishereinafter described.

Typically, a material for the beam dump can be determined based on arefractive index of a liquid being tested by the turbidity measuringdevice 100. Typically, the material for the beam dump can be based on arefractive index of the liquid being tested and can be substantiallysimilar. Other design choices can be included when choosing the materialfor the beam dump. For instance, a reactivity of the material with theliquid being tested can be factored in.

For a first liquid sample, a first beam dump can be selected that has arefractive index substantially similar to the first liquid sample. Aftera first beam dump comprising a material having a refractive indexsubstantially similar to the refractive index of the first liquid samplehas been chosen, the first beam dump can be operatively coupled to theturbidity measuring device 100. After the first beam dump has beencoupled, a test can be started on the first liquid sample with theturbidity measuring device 100.

After the first test is done, a second test can be conducted on a secondliquid sample. A second beam dump can be chosen for the second liquidsample based on a refractive index of the second liquid sample. Forinstance, the second liquid sample may have a substantially differentrefractive index than the first liquid sample, and a beam dump with amaterial having a refractive index substantially similar to the secondliquid sample can be selected to use for testing. The first beam dumpcan be removed from the turbidity measuring device 100, and then thesecond beam dump can be operatively coupled to the turbidity measuringdevice 100. A test can then be conducted on the second liquid sample.

Alternative Embodiments and Variations

The various embodiments and variations thereof, illustrated in theaccompanying Figures and/or described above, are merely exemplary andare not meant to limit the scope of the invention. It is to beappreciated that numerous other variations of the invention have beencontemplated, as would be obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art,given the benefit of this disclosure. All variations of the inventionthat read upon appended claims are intended and contemplated to bewithin the scope of the invention.

I claim:
 1. An assembly for removing energy from a beam ofelectromagnetic radiation, the assembly comprising: a turbiditymeasuring device, the turbidity measuring device including: a fluidicmodule; and a measurement module including an electromagnetic radiationsource; an energy removal device removably coupled to the turbiditymeasuring device, the energy removal device including: a transparentsolid body defined by: a first surface; a second surface; and an energyabsorbing material coated on the first surface and the second surface.2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the first surface is defined by asubstantially cylindrical shape.
 3. The assembly of claim 1, wherein (i)the first surface is defined by a plurality of faceted surfaces, and(ii) the second surface is defined by a substantially planar surface. 4.The assembly of claim 1, wherein (i) the solid body is further definedby a central axis, (ii) the first surface is comprised of three or moretriangular facets with coincident sides to form a vertex coincident uponthe central axis at a distance shorter than the base of the triangularfacets, and (iii) the second surface is of revolution displaced radiallyabout the central axis.
 5. The assembly of claim 1, wherein (i) thesolid body is further defined by a central axis; (ii) the first surfaceis of revolution and radially symmetric about the central axis; and(iii) the second surface is of revolution displaced radially about thecentral axis of a larger radii than the first surface of revolution. 6.The assembly of claim 1, wherein (i) the solid body is further definedby a central axis; (ii) the first surface is inclined at an obliqueangle to the central axis; (iii) the second surface is displaced fromthe central axis substantially parallel to the central axis; and (iv)the first surface and the second surface terminate to form a wedge. 7.The assembly of claim 1, wherein (i) the solid body is further definedby a central axis; (ii) the first surface is comprised of three or morepairs of triangular facets with one coincident side to form an edge;(iii) the edges of the three or more pairs of triangular facets areconvergent upon the central axis at a distance longer than the vertex ofthe triangular facets; (iv) the second surface is of revolutiondisplaced radially about the central axis; and (v) an other side of eachtriangular facet can be coincident with the second surface ofrevolution.
 8. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the first surface andthe second surface are arranged to dissipate energy of an entrant beamby one or more interactions of deflection and absorption of the entrantbeam between the first surface and the second surface.
 9. The assemblyof claim 1, wherein the transparent solid body has a substantially righttriangular shape.
 10. A device for removing energy from a beam submersedin an aqueous solution, the device comprising: a transparent solid bodyremovably coupled to a turbidity measuring device; an optical surfaceadapted to be in direct contact with an aqueous solution in theturbidity measuring device, the optical surface located on a top of thetransparent solid body; at least two energy absorbing surfaces arrangedto dissipate energy of an entrant beam by one or more interactions ofdeflection and absorption of the entrant beam between the two or more ofthe energy absorbing surfaces.
 11. The device of claim 10, wherein theturbidity measuring device includes: a fluidic module; and a measurementmodule including an electromagnetic radiation source.
 12. The device ofclaim 11, wherein the fluidic module includes a deaerator to minimizeand remove entrained gasses in the aqueous solution prior to the aqueoussolution being interrogated by the measurement module.
 13. The device ofclaim 10, wherein the transparent solid body is located on an exteriorof the turbidity measuring device when coupled to the turbiditymeasuring device.
 14. The device of claim 10, wherein the transparentsolid body is comprised of a material transparent to the entrant beam.15. The device of claim 10, wherein the turbidity measuring device isselected from the group consisting of a turbidimeter, a fluorometer, anda nephelometer.
 16. An assembly for removing energy from a beam ofelectromagnetic radiation, the assembly comprising: a turbidimeter, theturbidimeter including: a fluidic module; and a measurement moduleincluding an electromagnetic radiation source; a device for removingenergy from a beam of electromagnetic radiation submersed in an aqueoussolution, the device including: a transparent solid body removablycoupled to the turbidimeter; an optical surface adapted to be in directcontact with the aqueous solution, the optical surface located on a topof the transparent solid body; at least two energy absorbing surfacesarranged to dissipate energy of an entrant beam by one or moreinteractions of deflection and absorption of the entrant beam betweenthe two or more of the energy absorbing surfaces.
 17. The assembly ofclaim 16, wherein the electromagnetic radiation source is adapted togenerate the beam of electromagnetic radiation.
 18. The assembly ofclaim 16, wherein the aqueous solution is located in the fluidic moduleof the turbidimeter.
 19. The assembly of claim 16, wherein the beam ofelectromagnetic radiation passes through the aqueous solution and theoptical surface of the device before striking one of the at least twoenergy absorbing surfaces.
 20. The assembly of claim 16, wherein thetransparent solid body is located on an exterior of the turbidimeterwhen coupled to the turbidimeter.